The 34-year-old actress also discussed the evolution of accessories.

Danielle James is the Fashion and Beauty Director for Hello Beautiful. When's she's not working, Danielle enjoys traveling, cooking Trinidadian food, Duke basketball and discovering the fun idiosyncrasies of NYC. Connect with her on social or her personal website: www.welcometodaniellejames.com

From starring in The Color Purple on Broadway to working on her fourth studio album, she’s also preparing to star in her first comedy with Happy Gilmore actor Adam Sandler. As if this isn’t enough, she’s also scheduled back on Broadway to begin rehearsals for Hairspray Live!

But right now she’s celebrating her one-year anniversary of collaboration with the retail company New York & Company. Below she’s pictured in a white dress, with a denim jacket draped stylishly over her shoulders:

She admits denim is her summertime “must have” accessory: “When it’s summer, that means a lot of air conditioning. Somebody like myself, I get cold a lot. I feel like the denim helps keep you warm at times, but it’s still cool enough to wear in summer.”

Talk about practical and stylish.

What you don’t see in the photo is the back of her jacket, revealing a JH patch. The 34-year-old actress also discussed the evolution of accessories. She explains, “I like brooches — to me the patch is a younger version of a broach. [They] give you something to play with, add to things. Switch it up.”